Have you checked in lately?

When was the last time you truly checked in?

I'm not talking about checking into class or checking in to board that flight you've been waiting for. I mean truly checked into self. When was the last time you even took time out to notice how your body was feeling or checked into your breath?

So often we wait until something is wrong or something hurts or emotions are at an all-time volcanic rupture before we truly check-in.

Checking in is an act of self-care. So how do you check in? What does that even look like?

Here are 4 things you should be doing throughout every day.

1. Pause

Sometimes we get so caught up in our day that we land on autopilot. Autopilot is that feeling of just going through the motions. When we allow ourselves to simply go through the motions we miss out on life. We act in reactivity versus acting with love. Taking time to pause truly allows you to check in with yourself and ask yourself, Right now I feel... or How am I feeling in this very moment?

2. Breathe

I don't know about you but sometimes I don't know if I am even breathing. I mean I know I have to be breathing if I am alive and moving. However, I don't know if I am holding my breath or truly breathing. When we take time to first "Pause" and then check in with ourselves through "Breath" we are able to truly feel the sensations that are within our body. We are able to move stagnation, energy, or simply discomfort out of those areas. Do this one thing? Take a pause right now and take 1 big inhale through your nose and then sigh it out your mouth. Take note, "How do I feel?" Take time each day to simply Breathe.

3. Feel

When we pause and then give ourselves permission to breathe, we then open ourselves up to feel. So often the first 2 responses are not elicited so therefore we never truly tap into SELF, our sensations, and therefore it's like the hamster in the wheel where we never truly stop to feel. Take a moment right now and pause, breathe, and notice the sensations that are showing up in your body.

4. Release

I use to get so frustrated with the amount of tension and tightness that my body would feel on a regular basis and then I realized that I was on autopilot. I never truly took time out to "Pause, Breathe and most importantly "FEEL". I never understood but then it clicked how was I supposed to release something that I never felt? How I was supposed to let go when I was unaware that I was holding onto something? Have you ever felt that before? When was the last time you truly allowed yourself to release something? Be honest with yourself. What do you need to release today?

It all starts with simply checking in. When we truly allow ourselves to check in, to pause, to breathe, to feel, and to release we truly open ourselves up to show up truly as our authentic selves. We are able to operate from liberation, freedom, and authenticity. How do we begin? Start with step 1, "PAUSE" then each day add a step and continue to show up for SELF with these steps and watch how your everyday life transforms.

Happy International Women's Day!

Felicia